Buy Day Old Chicks from Stromberg’s
When you want to stock your backyard or small farm with baby chicks, shop at Stromberg’s. Our selection of live baby chicks includes over 240 options! Choices range from black Jersey giant chicks to white leghorn chicks, Dominique chicks to northern bobwhite quail chicks. Our selection of day-old, newborn chicks includes both sexed batches and unsexed ones.
If you're considering day-old chicks, make sure you’re prepared. You’ll need proper brooding equipment (heat source, bedding, feeder, and waterer). Plus, make time for daily care.
The early weeks are critical for chick survival and growth. We offer all of the supplies you need to care for newborn chicks at Stromberg’s.
What Are Unsexed Day-Old Chicks?
At Stromberg’s, we offer both day-old pullets for sale, as well as day-old cockerels. However, many of our chickens for sale will arrive unsexed. These birds are sometimes referred to as “straight run” chicks.
When a batch of baby chicks is “unsexed,” it means that the groups of chicks haven’t yet had their gender identified.
Why? Some types of poultry do not develop obvious, visible gender differences. For example, heritage breeds or ornamental chickens like Silkies or Polish often lack sex-linked physical markers. Likewise, day-old chicks of all breeds can be stressed by the sexing process. Avoiding sexing ensures happier, healthier birds.
What Can I Expect When I Buy Unsexed, Day-Old Chicks?
When buying live poultry, you are statistically likely to receive half roosters and half hens. However, we cannot guarantee sex, especially in smaller batches.
Those seeking exclusively egg-layers should keep this in mind and opt for day-old pullets for sale instead. Just select “female” at checkout when the option is available.
After the chicks have hatched, some breeds of chicken begin to show their gender differences within five weeks. Breeds like Leghorns or Plymouth Rocks often show these differences clearly. Everything from leg thickness to comb color will give you clues!
Others never show visible differences. For example, bantam breeds are notoriously difficult to sex, even at maturity. You may have to wait until crowing or egg-laying to determine sex for sure. Typically, this takes about 16-24 weeks.
Be prepared for surprises! That's just part of raising farm birds!
Tips for Building a Flock Using Day-Old Chicks
Each flock of chickens only needs one rooster. The rooster impregnates all of the hens and defines his territory. If you put two roosters in the same chicken coop and let them run, the roosters will fight one another, sometimes to the death.
We recommend keeping small flocks separated in separate coops and chicken runs. It’s the simplest way to make use of the multiple roosters you would obtain in an unsexed batch of newborn chicks.
One rooster services 10 hens in a typical flock. If you purchase an all-female batch and an unsexed batch, you will obtain enough chickens to create at least three flocks.
Shop our selection of day-old chicks to stock your farm’s flock.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between pullets and straight-run chicks?
Pullets are female chicks that have been sexed at the hatchery. Straight-run chicks are sold unsexed and may be a mix of males and females. Choosing day-old pullets for sale is ideal if you're primarily interested in egg-laying hens.
What do I need to raise day-old chicks at home?
To raise day-old chicks, you'll need a brooder, a heat lamp, chick starter feed, clean water, and bedding. It's important to maintain a warm, safe, and dry environment during their first few weeks of life. You can shop for all of the supplies you need from Stromberg’s.
When will day-old chicks start laying eggs?
Most breeds of day-old pullets will begin laying eggs at around 18 to 22 weeks of age. However, the exact timing will depend on the breed and care provided. Layer breeds often mature sooner.